Callaghan Park Racing Preview: Thursday 28th August
Published 26 August 2025
Apprentice jockey Brooke Johnson celebrates her 100th win
Apprentice jockey Brooke Johnson had 100 reasons to celebrate her most recent victory at Dingo last Saturday and she did it with a “Martini” moment.
Martini Moment, the horse that is!
Riding the six-year-old Spirit of Boom mare for Bluff trainer Bill Trimble, Brooke took out the $12,000 BM 50 (1200m) at the annual Dingo Cup race meeting.
Johnson’s 100th winner came up in her 625th race ride.
She has certainly come a long way since partnering her first winner, Grand De Lago at Thangool in July 2022.
The 22-year-old rider celebrated the milestone win with the Zoe Hohn team who shared a pink iced sponge cake to recognise Brooke’s achievement.
Johnson now hopes to continue to build on her record at Callaghan Park at Thursday’s six race program. She has been booked for three mounts.
Her rides include Strong Latte in the 1400m Maiden Handicap. A five-year-old mare trained by Sean Lennon, Strong Latte put in an eye catcher when fourth in a Maiden over the same distance at Callaghan Park two starts back. So far the well-bred five-year-old mare has been quite trying for its Gladstone-based connections, having 20 race starts for just one minor place.
“I galloped her for the trainer in Rocky last Saturday and she galloped really good,” Johnson said. “Back in her own class, I suspect that she may be hard to beat.”
Johnson’s day starts with Rare And Reliable for Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley in the BM 55 Handicap (1100m). The five-start four-year-old mare is already a Gold Coast Maiden Handicap (1000m) winner. At her second run of this campaign, Rare and Reliable was beaten just over two lengths after racing keenly in a tougher Class 1 race at the Sunshine Coast.
Johnson nominated the mare as her best ride for the day. “ I haven’t had a call up to ride for Liam Birchley for a while, so to get the call to ride this one was good,” Johnson said. ” It’s form suggests that it should be the pick of my rides.”
The three-kilogram provincial claimer’s second mount is Bo Bo Beware for her boss. The Dundeel gelding runs in the BM 70 (1500m) and is a last start Mackay 1800m BM 60 winner.
“He ran well last start but his back in distance here, he will get home alright though,” Johnson said.
There has been a little bit of friendly rivalry in the girl’s jockey room lately and to Jonnson’s surprise she beat fellow apprentice Nikki Olzard (642 rides) to the 100 marker.
Olzard reached 99 wins last week at Callaghan Park and like Johnson headed to Dingo eyeballing a century.
“I actually thought Nikki had a better chance of reach 100 before me, I thought she was going to beat me there,” Johnson said.
From four rides, Olzard’s best result was second place in the Dingo Cup, riding Cinderella Man, beaten by Acedrod.
Olzard, apprenticed to Sileas Green, gets her chance to reach the ton on Thursday.
She has six shots at it, with a full book and some nice mounts.
The six race Thursday Callaghan Park card starts at 1.27pm.
Members and guests are advised that due to impending works being undertaken in and around the members’ lounge, this facility will be closed for this race meeting only.
All guests will be accommodated in the Acton Stand Lounge with a full bar and catering service available. The RJC appreciate your patience and support.
- David Aldred CEO
